VARD lands its largest ever single vessel order

VARD, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, has signed a contract with US-based research organisation Inkfish for the design and construction of a next-generation deep-sea research vessel valued at nearly EUR 700 million. The deal is the largest single vessel order in VARD’s history and the largest of its kind for any Norwegian shipyard.

The vessel, designated RV11000, is based on the VARD 9 42 design. It measures 162 metres in length with a beam of 28 metres and is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2030. It is designed for operations at depths of up to 11,000 metres, covering seafloor mapping, coring and sampling, submarine operations and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) activities.

RV11000 builds on the engineering foundations of the RV6000, a vessel VARD contracted in 2025 and is currently building for Inkfish. Both ships will support marine research worldwide and contribute data to open-source scientific repositories.

Technology and capabilities

The vessel will carry one of the largest battery installations ever fitted on a ship, enabling up to 12 hours of silent operations for scientific missions. Its propulsion system combines DC technology with battery hybrid solutions. The hull is optimised for high-performance seafloor mapping with advanced station-keeping capability, while stabilisers will minimise vessel motion during operations.

Onboard facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories, workshops and scientific spaces, along with accommodation for up to 130 crew members and researchers. The vessel will also be certified to the latest IACS cybersecurity requirements.

Construction plan

VARD will manage the entire project through its integrated value chain, covering design, hull construction, outfitting, integration and commissioning. The hull will be built at Vard Shipyards Romania in Tulcea, with outfitting, commissioning and delivery carried out at one of the group’s Norwegian shipyards. The vessel was developed by Vard Design in Ålesund in close collaboration with Inkfish.

“This contract marks a milestone for the Fincantieri Group, representing the largest order ever secured by VARD for a single vessel and confirming our role as a global reference player in advanced, highly specialized shipbuilding for underwater operations. The project combines scale, technological complexity and scientific ambition, reflecting our ability to design and deliver next-generation solutions for deep-sea exploration.

It also underlines the strategic importance of the underwater domain for Fincantieri, where we continue to invest and innovate, leveraging our distinctive capabilities to support increasingly complex missions, from scientific research to the monitoring and protection of critical underwater infrastructure” said Pierroberto Folgiero, chief executive officer and managing director, Fincantieri.

The post VARD lands its largest ever single vessel order appeared first on Container News.